Mannenberg Caves

Entrance to one of the Mannenberg caves

Barriers on the cave

The Mannenberg Caves are four karst caves in dolomite rock near Nettersheim in the Urft valley . The three larger ones are among the largest caves in the North Rhine-Westphalian part of the Eifel .

Geography and shape

The caves are located on a steep, wooded slope north of the village. One is commonly referred to as the Mannenbergstollen .

Cave 1 is 60 meters long; their access is blocked by a grate to prevent pollution, damage to mineral formation and disturbance of bat populations. Cave 2 is 73 meters long and hardly accessible due to its vertical entrance. It was also secured against human intruders by a grid.

The 100 meter long Mannenberg tunnel is originally a natural karst cave, which has been heavily modified by human hands over the past two centuries. The purpose of these not so long ago revisions is unclear. The entrance to the gallery was also blocked by a fence.

The fourth cave is much smaller and only connected to the outside world through a low slit-shaped opening.

meaning

The three larger caves are regularly winter quarters for but not many bats , especially the great mouse-eared bats .

Lore that there are underground connections between these caves, the Kakushöhle and the church of the village Weyer 4 km to the north , which stands on the site of a Celtic cult site, are pure fantasy.